Device and method for controlling a shovel-bucket door

ABSTRACT

A device and method which implements a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a means for controlling the door of a shovel bucket. In one embodiment, an adjustable connecting rod may be configured to pivotally connect to a shovel bucket. A fixed connecting rod may be configured to pivotally connect to the adjustable connecting rod and pivotally connect to the door of the shovel bucket. The proximal end of the adjustable connecting rod may move in a direction towards the shovel bucket when the door is closing in order to lock the door. An eccentric assembly may be configured to move the proximal end of the adjustable connecting rod in a direction away from the shovel bucket after the door has closed in order to unlock the door.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority based upon prior U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/370,256 filed Aug. 3, 2010 inthe name of Alberto Opazo, entitled “Control Device for Shovel-BucketDoor,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shovel buckets and, moreparticularly, to the control of shovel-bucket doors.

Shovel and loading equipment buckets (collectively, “shovel buckets”)are frequently used in the construction and mining industries inaggressive mining or earth movement operations. Shovel buckets oftenhave a cover or door that is hinged to the shovel bucket. Shovel bucketsalso traditionally include a cable and latch system to open and closethe door. Tension in the cable can be mechanically orelectro-mechanically managed to remotely open and close the door. Forexample, the latch may keep the door locked in a closed position untilthe cable is used to open the latch and allow the door to swing open.When the door swings closed, the cable can also be used to close thelatch so that the door is locked in a closed position.

Shovel buckets have cycle times between load dumping that may varydepending on factors such as the swing angle of the shovel bucket as itscoops up load material and swings to a location where it will unloadthe load material, the weight of the load material in the shovel bucket,and operator skill. The longest percentage of time in the cycle isswinging time.

Even with the use of cable and latch systems, shovel-bucket doors arefrequently exposed to intense banging and slamming due, in part, to theweight of the door. Such intense banging and slamming can increase wearand lead to premature failure of a shovel bucket, its door, and itsother components. For example, the door may become misaligned with theshovel bucket and wear plates on the shovel bucket or door may bedamaged or cracked, each requiring service or readjustment and costlyequipment downtime. Likewise, the cable may suffer damage from theintense banging and slamming of the door and, as a result, may need tobe serviced or replaced.

Consequently, there is a significant need for a device and method thatwill improve shovel-bucket door performance, reduce shovel bucket downtime, and reduce the impact and blows of the door against the shovelbucket. There is also a significant need for a device and method thatwill provide a mechanical advantage for the input force needed to openand close the door in view of the weight of the material in the shovelbucket and the inertial effects of the door. There is also a significantneed for a device and method that will yield minimal output torque anddampen loads due to the inertial effects of the door opening andclosing. The present invention provides these and other advantages, aswill be apparent from the following detailed description andaccompanying figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device and method which implements a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention includes a means for controlling the door of a shovelbucket. In one embodiment, an adjustable connecting rod may beconfigured to connect to a shovel bucket and a fixed connecting rod maybe configured to connect to the adjustable connecting rod and the doorof the shovel bucket. The angle between the fixed connecting rod and thedistance between the pivot point of the distal end of the fixedconnecting rod and the pivot point of the distal end of the adjustableconnecting rod may be greater than zero when said door is closed.

In one embodiment, an adjustable connecting rod may be configured topivotally connect to a shovel bucket. A fixed connecting rod may beconfigured to pivotally connect to the adjustable connecting rod andpivotally connect to the door of the shovel bucket. The proximal end ofthe adjustable connecting rod may move in a direction towards the shovelbucket when the door is closing. An eccentric assembly may be configuredto move the proximal end of the adjustable connecting rod in a directionaway from the shovel bucket after the door has closed.

In one embodiment, the door of a shovel bucket may be controlled byfirst positioning the shovel bucket such that gravity will allow thedoor to swing to a closed position and the proximal end of a fixedconnecting rod will rest against an eccentric base support. The proximalend of an adjustable connecting rod may then be moved a predetermineddistance away from said shovel bucket after said door is in a closedposition. The proximal end of the adjustable connecting rod may bepivotally connected to the proximal end of the fixed connecting rod, thedistal end of the adjustable connecting rod may be pivotally connectedto the shovel bucket, and the distal end of the fixed connecting rod maybe pivotally connected to the door. The shovel bucket may then bepositioned such that gravity will allow said door to swing open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before drawings are presented it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the details of the assembly and arrangements of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of its major components being carriedout and assembled in various ways. For a more complete understanding ofthe present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now madeto the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings but not limited to represent the whole invention,in which:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a shovel bucket that includes oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a shovel bucket that includes one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of a shovel bucket that includes oneembodiment of the present invention with one fixed connecting rodremoved.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the proximal end of an adjustableconnecting rod suspended just above an eccentric base support in oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of an eccentric assembly in oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of an adjustable connecting rod in oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of an eccentric base support in oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a door mount assembly in oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention anda shovel bucket with a door in a closed position.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention anda shovel bucket with a door in a slightly open position.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention anda shovel bucket with a door in an open position.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of one embodiment of the present invention anda shovel bucket with a door in a fully open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which shows an isometric view of ashovel bucket 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the shovel bucket 100 includes a door 102 on the posterior100 d of the shovel bucket 100 and an opening (not shown) on theanterior 100 e of the shovel bucket 100. The shovel bucket 100 alsoincludes for purposes of illustration, a top side 100 a, a right side100 b, and a left side 100 c. The proximal end of the door 102 is shownto be pivotally connected to two door mount assemblies 103. Each of thetwo door mount assemblies 103 may be configured to connect to the door102, the shovel 100, and a fixed connecting rod 101. One door mountassembly 103 may be connected to the shovel 100 on the top side 100 a ofthe shovel 100 generally near the right-posterior corner of the top side100 a and one door mount assembly 103 may be connected to the shovel 100on the top side 100 a of the shovel 100 generally near theleft-posterior of the top side 100 a. The shovel bucket 100 may includea mount 109 that may be configured to connect to the door mount assembly103.

The distal end 101 a of each of the fixed connecting rods 101 is shownto be pivotally connected to one of the door mount assemblies 103 andthe proximal end 101 b of each of the fixed connecting rods 101 is shownto be pivotally connected to the proximal end 105 b of an adjustableconnecting rod 105. The proximal end 101 b of each of the fixedconnecting rods 101 is also shown to be positioned above an eccentricbase support 107. One eccentric base support 107 may be connected to thetop side 100 a of the shovel 100, in a position generally flush with orslightly offset from the right side 100 b of the shovel 100 and oneeccentric base support 107 may be connected to the top side 100 a of theshovel 100, in a position generally flush with or slightly offset fromthe left side 100 c of the shovel 100. The proximal end 105 b of theadjustable connecting rod 105 is also shown to be positioned above theeccentric base support 107.

The distal end 105 a of each of the adjustable connecting rods 105 maypivotally connect to a fixed shovel support 106 which may be part of theshovel bucket 100 or an addition connected to the shovel bucket 100. Onefixed shovel support 106 may be connected to the top side 100 a of theshovel 100, in a position generally flush with or slightly offset fromthe right side 100 b and near the anterior 100 e of the shovel 100 andone fixed shovel support 106 may be connected to the top side 100 a ofthe shovel 100, in a position generally flush with or slightly offsetfrom the left side 100 c and near the anterior 100 e of the shovel 100.

An eccentric assembly 104 is shown to connect to each of the eccentricbase supports 107. The length of the eccentric assembly is generallyparallel to the posterior 100 d and anterior 100 e of the shovel bucket100 and generally perpendicular to the right side 100 b and left side100 c of the shovel bucket 100. The eccentric assembly 104 may alsoinclude a moment arm 108. In this embodiment, the moment arm 108 iscomprised of two moment aim plates 108 a and 108 b. As will be describedin more detail below, movement of the moment arm 108 in a clockwisedirection may cause the eccentric assembly 104 to apply an upward forceon the proximal ends 105 b of the adjustable connecting rods 105 and,thereby, cause the proximal ends 105 b of the adjustable connecting rods105 and the proximal ends 101 b of the fixed connecting rods 101 to moveupward so that the door 102 may open from a closed position.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which shows a side view of a shovelbucket 100 that includes one embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the door 102 is in a closed position and rests againstthe posterior 100 d of the shovel bucket 100. The door mount assembly103 is connected to the proximal end 102 a of the door 102, the shovelbucket 100, and the distal end 101 a of a fixed connecting rod 101. Theproximal end 101 b of the fixed connecting rod 101 is shown to bepivotally connected to the proximal end 105 b of an adjustableconnecting rod 105. The distal end 105 a of the adjustable connectingrod 105 is shown to be pivotally connected to the fixed shovel support106. The proximal end 101 b of the fixed connecting rod 101 may rest onan eccentric base support 107 when the door 102 is in a closed position.An eccentric end cap on one end of the eccentric assembly 104 is shownto connect to the eccentric base support 107.

In one embodiment, the door 102, the fixed connecting rod 101, and theadjustable connecting rod 105 can be viewed as a mechanism that can beadjusted to lock the door 102 and prevent undesired locking and jammingof the door 102. For purposes of illustration, the distance 204 betweenthe pivot point 201 of the distal end 101 a of the fixed connecting rod101 and the pivot point 202 of the proximal end 101 b of the fixedconnecting rod 101, the distance 205 between the pivot point 202 of theproximal end 101 b of the fixed connecting rod 101 and the pivot point203 of the distal end 105 a of the adjustable connecting rod 105, andthe distance 206 between the pivot point 201 and the pivot point 203 cancomprise a triangle 207. In one embodiment, the lock angle θ that isformed by the intersection of distance 204 and distance 206 of thetriangle 207 is greater than zero but less than or equal to 1.5 degreeswhen the door 102 is closed. In one embodiment, the lock angle θ isapproximately equal to 1.5 degrees when the door 102 is closed. In oneembodiment, the magnitude of the lock angle θ when the door is closedcan be adjusted by the adjusting height of the eccentric base support107 and/or the length of the adjustable connecting rod 105. In oneembodiment, the distance 206 is approximately 2,146 millimeters when thedoor 102 is closed. In one embodiment, the distance 205 may be adjustedto a value between 813 millimeters and 850 millimeters. Stateddifferently, in one embodiment, the length of each adjustable connectingrod 105 may be adjusted within a variance of approximately 37millimeters. In one embodiment, the distance 205 may be varied byadjusting the length of the adjustable connecting rods 105. In oneembodiment, when the door 102 is closed, the shortest distance 208between point 202 and the distance 206 is equal to a value betweenapproximately 10 millimeters and approximately 20 millimeters.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which shows an isometric view of ashovel bucket 100 that includes one embodiment of the present inventionwith one fixed connecting rod 105 removed. In this embodiment, the fixedconnecting rod 101 on the right side of the shovel bucket 105 has beenremoved. As a result, the proximal end 105 b of the adjustableconnecting rod 105 is visible suspended just above the eccentric baseplate 107. The portion of the proximal end 105 b of the adjustableconnecting rod 105 encircled by circle 303 is shown in more detail inFIG. 4.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which shows a detailed view of theproximal end 105 b of an adjustable connecting rod 105 suspended justabove an eccentric base support 107 in one embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the adjustable connecting rod 105 isshown to have a wear plate 403 along the bottom of outside surface ofthe proximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105. When thedoor 102 (not shown) is in a closed position, the proximal end 101 b ofthe fixed connecting rod 101 may rest against the stops 404 of theeccentric base support 107. In other embodiments, when the door 102 isin a closed position, the proximal end 105 b of the adjustableconnecting rod 105 may rest against the stops 404 of the eccentric basesupport 107. To open the door, the eccentric guide 406 may rotate upwardso that the eccentric roll-wear plate 405 applies an upward force 407 onthe wear plate 403 and pushes the proximal end 105 b of the adjustableconnecting rod 105 upward. In one embodiment, the wear plate 403 may bemade of material that is more resistant to wear and damage than thematerial comprising the rest of the adjustable connecting rod 105. Inaddition, by limiting contact of the eccentric roll-wear plate 405 tothe wear plate 403 of the adjustable connecting rod 105 (as opposed tothe body of the proximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod105), wear and damage resulting from repeated contact with the eccentricroll-wear plate 405 will generally be limited to wear plate 403. As aresult, an operator may be able to change out a worn wear plate 403rather than removing an entire adjustable connecting rod 105.

In one embodiment, the adjustable connecting rod 105 includes a secondwear plate 402 on the top side of the outer surface of the proximal end105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105. As a result, when the wearplate 403 is worn, an operator may simply rotate the proximal end 105 bof the adjustable connecting rod 105 (or, alternatively, rotate theentire adjustable connecting rod 105) one hundred eighty degrees so thatthe eccentric roll-wear plate 405 will contact wear plate 402 in orderto open the door 102 from a closed position. In one embodiment, theproximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105 may include alubrication port 401.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which shows an isometric view of aneccentric assembly 104 in one embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the eccentric assembly includes a main tube 505 with aneccentric end cap 209 at each end of the main tube 505. The eccentricassembly 104 may also include an eccentric guide 406 located near eachend of the main tube 505. In this embodiment, each of eccentric guide406 is positioned equidistant from the center of the main tube 505 andthe angular position of each eccentric guide 406 about the main tube 505is approximately equivalent. Each eccentric guide 406 may include twoeccentric guide plates 501 and an eccentric roll-wear plate 405. In thisembodiment, the proximal ends 501 b of the eccentric guide plates 501may slide onto, and be securely fastened to, the main tube 505. Thedistal ends 501 a of the eccentric guide plates 501 may connect to theeccentric roll-wear plate 405. In this embodiment, the eccentricroll-wear plate 405 is wheel-shaped and is configured to connect betweenthe distal ends 501 a of two eccentric guide plates 501.

The eccentric assembly 104 may also include a moment arm 108. In thisembodiment, the moment arm 108 includes the moment arm plates 108 a and108 b which are connected by moment rod 506. In this embodiment, theangular position of the moment arm 108 about the main tube 505 relativeto the angular position of the eccentric guides 406 about the main tube505 is adjusted so that when a force is applied to the moment arm 108that causes the main tube 505 to rotate in a clockwise direction theeccentric guides 406 will also rotate clockwise and the eccentricroll-wear plates 405 will apply an upward force 407 on the wear plate403 of the adjustable connecting rod 105. It can be appreciated thatother embodiments of the present invention may include other mechanismsfor rotating the eccentric assembly 104 and/or the eccentric guides 406without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which shows an isometric view of anadjustable connecting rod 105 in one embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the proximal end 105 b and the distal end105 a of the adjustable connecting rod 105 are identical in shape sothat either of the two ends of the adjustable connecting rod 105 may beused to connect to the proximal end 101 b of the fixed connecting rod101 and either of the two ends of the adjustable connecting rod 105 maybe used to connect to the fixed shovel support 106. For example, theadjustable connecting rod 105 may include wear plates 403 on itsproximal end 105 b and its distal end 105 a so that the direction of theadjustable connecting rod 105 is interchangeable.

In one embodiment, the distal end 105 a of the adjustable connecting rod105 may contain one of either right hand or left hand threads that maybe screwed into the nut adjustable 604 and the proximal end 105 b of theadjustable connecting rod 604 may contain the other of either right handor left hand threads that may be screwed into the nut adjustable 604.The length of the adjustable connecting rod 105 may be varied byscrewing in or screwing out the distal end 105 a and/or the proximal end105 b of the adjustable connecting rod until the adjustable connectingrod 105 is at a desired length. Once the adjustable connecting rod 105is at a desired length, the lock pins 601 may be secured into areceptacle 605 of the locking-pin assembly 602. In this embodiment, alocking-pin assembly 602 is configured to fasten around the diameter ofeach end of the nut adjustable 604.

The proximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105 is shown toinclude a lubrication port 401. The lubrication port 401 may be used tolubricate the rod end bushing 603 to assist movement of the proximal end101 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105 and the proximal end 105 b ofthe adjustable connecting rod 105. Although not shown in FIG. 6, thedistal end 105 a of the adjustable connecting rod 105 may also include alubrication port 401.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which shows an isometric view of aneccentric base support 107 in one embodiment of the present invention.The eccentric base support 107 may include a base plate 702, an externallateral support 701, an eccentric internal support 703, steel liners705, rubber liners 706, and stops 404. The external lateral support 701and eccentric internal support 703 may extend from or be mounted to thebase plate 702. In one embodiment, the external lateral support 701 andthe eccentric internal support 703 are positioned perpendicular to thebase plate 702 and parallel to each other. In one embodiment, thedistance between the external lateral support 701 and the eccentricinternal support 703 is proportional to the width of the proximal end105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105. The external lateral support701 and the eccentric internal support 703 may also be aligned such thatthe aperture 708 in the external lateral support 701 aligns with thetube slot 707 in the eccentric internal support 703. In thisconfiguration, the main tube 505 of the eccentric assembly 104 mayextend through the aperture 708 such that the eccentric end cap 209 mayconnect to end of the main tube 505 on the external side 709 of theexternal lateral support 701. The main tube 505 may also pass throughand/or be supported by the tube slot 707. The eccentric guides 406 maybe positioned along the main tube 505 between the external lateralsupport 701 and the eccentric internal support 703.

In one embodiment, a stop 404 a may be attached to the guide 704 a atthe top of the external lateral support 701 and a stop 404 b may beattached to the guide 704 b at the top of the eccentric internal support703. In one embodiment, the stops 404 may have concave surfaces that fitthe shape of the proximal end 101 b of the fixed connecting rod 101 orthe proximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105. In oneembodiment, steel liners 705 and rubber liners 706 may be positionedbetween the stops 404 and the guides 705. In one embodiment, a singlesteel liner 705 may underlie a single rubber liner 706. In thisconfiguration, for example, the steel liner 705 may structurally supportthe rubber liner 706 and provide structural support for fastening thestop 404, the steel liner 705, and the rubber liner 706 to the guide704. In addition, the rubber liner 706 may absorb the impact of, anddampen the movement of, the proximal end 105 a of the adjustableconnecting rod 105 when it strikes the stop 404. In one embodiment, thestop 404, the steel liner 705, and the rubber liner 706 may be bolted tothe guide 704. However, it can be appreciated that other embodiments ofthe present invention may include other mechanisms for fastening thestop 404, the steel liner 705, and the rubber liner 706 to the guide 704without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which shows an isometric view of a doormount assembly 103 in one embodiment of the present invention. The doormount assembly may include a top mounting washer 802, an external wingsupport 803, and internal wing support 801, an external wing support806, a wing base support 804, and a lower mounting washer 805. In oneembodiment, the shape of the wing base support 804 may be curved. Forexample, the shape of the wing base support 804 may be curved to reducethe risk of the formation of large stress concentration fractures underhigh loads, such as those created by movement of the door 102. The wingbase support 804 may also include the lower mounting washer 805. Thelower mounting washer 805 may be configured to connect to the distal end101 a of the fixed connecting rod 101.

The internal wing support 801 and the external wing support 806 may beconfigured to connect to the proximal end 102 a of the door 102 suchthat the external wing support 806 connects to the outer surface (thesurface facing away from the shovel bucket) of the door 102 and theinternal wing support 801 connects to the inner surface (the surfacefacing the shovel bucket) of the door 102. The top mounting washer 802may connect to the shovel bucket at the mount 109. In one embodiment,the external wing support 806 may curve 803 and extend to or near thetop mounting washer 802 to improve the structural strength of the doormount assembly 103 when mounted to the door 102. For example, the curve803 of the external wing support 806 may provided additional weldingarea for connecting the proximal end 102 a of the door 102 to the doormount assembly 103.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 which shows a side view of oneembodiment of the present invention and a shovel bucket 100 with a door102 in a closed position. In this embodiment, the lock angle θ isgreater than zero and the fixed connecting rod 101 and the adjustableconnecting rod 105 prevent the door from opening. In this configurationthe shovel bucket 100 is in a digging state.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which shows a side view of oneembodiment of the present invention and a shovel bucket 100 with a door102 in a slightly open position. In this embodiment, the eccentric rollwear plate 405 has applied an upward force on the wear plate 403 ofproximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105. As a result,the proximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105 and theproximal end 101 b of the fixed connecting rod 101 has moved upwards (oraway from the shovel bucket 100). As a result, the pivot point 201 ofthe distal end 101 a of the fixed connecting rod 101 has moved slightlycloser to the pivot point 203 of the distal end 105 a of the adjustableconnecting rod 105 and the door 102 has slightly opened. In addition,the lock angle θ is now slightly negative because the pivot point 202 atthe proximal end 101 b of the fixed connecting rod 101 has moved abovethe distance between pivot point 201 and pivot point 203. With pivotpoint 202 in this position, the door 102 would swing open if the shovelbucket 100 were to move to cause the door 102 to open, such as byrotating counter clockwise. On the other hand, if the eccentric rollwear plate 405 were to cease to apply an upward force on the wear plate403 of the proximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105 whilethe shovel bucket 100 is positioned upright (i.e., the plane of the topof the shovel bucket 100 is perpendicular to the gravitational field),the proximal end 105 b of the adjustable connecting rod 105 will movetowards the shovel bucket 100 until the proximal end 101 b of the fixedconnecting rod 101 strikes the stop 404 of the eccentric base support107 and the door 102 would again be locked in a closed position.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11 which shows a side view of oneembodiment of the present invention and a shovel bucket 100 with a door102 in an open position. In this embodiment, as the shovel bucket 100has rotated counter clockwise, the door 100 has continued to open andthe pivot point 201 at the distal end 101 a of the fixed connecting rod101 has moved even closer than in FIG. 10 to the pivot point 203 at thedistal end 105 a of the adjustable connecting rod 105. In addition, thelock angle θ is now more negative than in FIG. 10 and the pivot point202 has moved even farther above the distance between pivot point 201and pivot point 203.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12 which shows a side view of oneembodiment of the present invention and a shovel bucket 100 with a door102 in a fully open position. In this embodiment, the shovel bucket 100has continued to rotate counter clockwise such that posterior 100 d ofthe shovel bucket 100 is generally parallel to the ground (or, moreparticularly, perpendicular to the field of gravity) such that the door102 has swung fully open and the pivot point 201 at the distal end 101 aof the fixed connecting rod 101 has moved even closer than in FIG. 11 tothe pivot point 203 at the distal end 105 a of the adjustable connectingrod 105. In addition, the lock angle θ is now more negative than in FIG.11 and the pivot point 202 has moved even farther above the distancebetween pivot point 201 and pivot point 203.

When a single embodiment is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one embodiment may be used in place of a singleembodiment. Similarly, where more than one embodiment is describedherein, it will be readily apparent that a single embodiment may besubstituted for that one device.

In light of the wide variety of possible devices and methods, thedetailed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and should notbe taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, what is claimedas the invention is all such modifications as may come within the spiritand scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

None of the description in this specification should be read as implyingthat any particular element, step or function is an essential elementwhich must be included in the claim scope. The scope of the patentedsubject matter is defined only by the allowed claims and theirequivalents. Unless explicitly recited, other aspects of the presentinvention as described in this specification do not limit the scope ofthe claims.

1. A control device comprising: an adjustable connecting rod configuredto connect to a shovel bucket; and a fixed connecting rod configured toconnect to said adjustable connecting rod and the door of said shovelbucket such that the angle created by said fixed connecting rod and thedistance between the pivot point of the distal end of said fixedconnecting rod and the pivot point of the distal end of said adjustableconnecting rod is greater than or equal to zero when said door isclosed.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjustable connecting rodis configured to connect to said shovel bucket such that said adjustableconnecting rod may pivot relative to said shovel bucket, said fixedconnecting rod is configured to connect to said adjustable connectingrod such that said fixed connecting rod and said adjustable connectingrod may each pivot, and said fixed connecting rod is configured toconnect to said door such that said fixed connecting rod and said doormay each pivot.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod is identical in shape to the proximal end ofsaid adjustable connecting rod.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein saiddistal end of said adjustable connecting rod is identical in shape tothe proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod except that one ofsaid proximal end or said distal end includes reverse threads.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said distal end of said adjustable connectingrod is configured to connect to either of said shovel bucket or saidfixed connecting rod and the proximal end of said adjustable connectingrod is configured to connect to either of said shovel bucket or saidfixed connecting rod.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the length ofsaid adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted by screwing or unscrewingthe proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and/or said distalend of said adjustable connecting rod into or from a nut adjustable ofsaid adjustable connecting rod.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein saidadjustable connecting rod includes at least one lock pin connected to aportion of the proximal end or said distal end of said adjustableconnecting rod and at least one lock pin assembly connected to a nutadjustable of said adjustable connecting rod.
 8. The device of claim 1wherein the distance between the pivot point of said proximal end ofsaid adjustable connecting rod and said pivot point of said distal endof said adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 83 millimetersand 850 millimeters.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the length of saidadjustable connecting rod may be adjusted such that the distance betweenthe pivot point of the proximal end said adjustable connecting rod andthe pivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod iswithin the range of 813 millimeters and 850 millimeters,
 10. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said adjustable connecting rod includes at least onewear plate.
 11. The device of claim 1 further comprising an eccentricbase support configured to stop motion of the proximal end of said fixedconnecting rod towards said shovel bucket.
 12. The device of claim 1further comprising an eccentric base support configured to support theproximal end of said fixed connecting rod and/or the proximal end ofsaid adjustable connecting rod.
 13. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising an eccentric base support configured to support the proximalend of said fixed connecting rod and/or the proximal end of saidadjustable connecting rod and including at least one of: a guide, asteal liner, a rubber liner, and a stop.
 14. The device of claim 1further comprising an eccentric base support configured to support aneccentric assembly such that rotation of said eccentric assembly willallow an eccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assemblyto contact the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod.
 15. Thedevice of claim 1 further comprising an eccentric assembly configured toapply a force to the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod,said force being directed away from said shovel bucket.
 16. The deviceof claim 1 further comprising an eccentric assembly configured to movethe pivot point of the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod ina direction away from said shovel bucket.
 17. The device of claim 1wherein the proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configuredto move in a direction away from said shovel bucket when an eccentricassembly connected to said shovel bucket is rotated.
 18. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said fixed connecting rod is configured to connect tosaid door by connecting to a door mount assembly that is configured toconnect to said fixed connecting rod, said shovel bucket, and said door.19. The device of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of said fixedconnecting rod is further configured to fall against an eccentric basesupport when said door is closing.
 20. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid door will not open from a closed position unless the proximal endof said adjustable connecting rod is moved a distance of at least 10millimeters away from said shovel bucket.
 21. The device of claim 1wherein said door will only begin to open from a closed position afterthe proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod has moved away fromsaid shovel bucket a distance in the range of 10 millimeters to 20millimeters.
 22. The device of claim 1 wherein said angle is greaterthan or equal to zero but less than or equal to 1.5 degrees when saiddoor is closed.
 23. The device of claim 1 wherein said angle isapproximately 1.5 degrees when said door is closed.
 24. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said angle is less than zero when said door is open. 25.The device of claim 1 wherein said distance between said pivot point ofthe distal end of said fixed connecting rod and said pivot point of saiddistal end of said adjustable connecting rod is approximately 2,146millimeters when said door is closed.
 26. A control device comprising:an adjustable connecting rod configured to pivotally connect to a shovelbucket; and a fixed connecting rod configured to pivotally connect tosaid adjustable connecting rod and pivotally connect to the door of saidshovel bucket such that the proximal end of said adjustable connectingrod will move in a direction towards said shovel bucket when said dooris closing; and an eccentric assembly configured to move the proximalend of said adjustable connecting rod in a direction away from saidshovel bucket after said door has closed.
 27. The device of claim 26wherein said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is identicalin shape to the distal end of said adjustable connecting rod.
 28. Thedevice of claim 26 wherein said proximal end of said adjustableconnecting rod is identical in shape to the distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod except that one of said proximal end or saiddistal end includes reverse threads.
 29. The device of claim 26 whereinthe distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured toconnect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod andsaid proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured toconnect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod.30. The device of claim 26 wherein the length of said adjustableconnecting rod may be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing said proximalend of said adjustable connecting rod and/or the distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod into or from a nut adjustable of saidadjustable connecting rod.
 31. The device of claim 26 wherein saidadjustable connecting rod includes at least one lock pin connected to aportion of said proximal end or said distal end of said adjustableconnecting rod and at least one lock pin assembly connected to a nutadjustable of said adjustable connecting rod.
 32. The device of claim 26wherein the distance between the pivot point of said proximal end ofsaid adjustable connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end ofsaid adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 813 millimetersand 850 millimeters.
 33. The device of claim 26 wherein the length ofsaid adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted such that the distancebetween the pivot point of said proximal end of said adjustableconnecting rod and the pivot point of distal end of said adjustableconnecting rod is within the range of 813 millimeters and 850millimeters.
 34. The device of claim 26 wherein said adjustableconnecting rod includes at least one wear plate.
 35. The device of claim26 further comprising an eccentric base support configured to stopmotion of said proximal end of said fixed connecting rod towards saidshovel bucket.
 36. The device of claim 26 further comprising aneccentric base support configured to support the proximal end of saidfixed connecting rod and/or said proximal end of said adjustableconnecting rod.
 37. The device of claim 26 further comprising aneccentric base support that is configured to support the proximal end ofsaid fixed connecting rod and/or the proximal end of said adjustableconnecting rod and includes at least one of: a guide, a steal liner, arubber liner, and a stop.
 38. The device of claim 26 further comprisingan eccentric base support configured to support said eccentric assemblysuch that rotation of said eccentric assembly will allow an eccentricroll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assembly to contact saidproximal end of said adjustable connecting rod.
 39. The device of claim26 wherein said eccentric assembly is configured to move said proximalend of said adjustable connecting rod by applying a force to saidproximal end of said adjustable connecting rod, said force beingdirected away from said shovel bucket.
 40. The device of claim 26wherein said eccentric assembly is configured to rotate such that aneccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assembly willcontact said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod.
 41. Thedevice of claim 26 wherein said fixed connecting rod is configured toconnect to said door by connecting to a door mount assembly that isconfigured to connect to said fixed connecting rod, said shovel bucket,and said door.
 42. The device of claim 26 wherein the proximal end ofsaid fixed connecting rod is further configured to fall against aneccentric base support when said door is closed.
 43. The device of claim26 wherein said door will not open from a closed position unless saidproximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is moved a distance of atleast 10 millimeters away from said shovel bucket.
 44. The device ofclaim 26 wherein said eccentric assembly must move said proximal end ofsaid adjustable connecting rod away from said shovel bucket a distanceof between 10 millimeters and 20 millimeters for said door to open froma closed position.
 45. The device of claim 26 wherein said door willonly begin to open from a closed position after said proximal end ofsaid adjustable connecting rod has moved away from said shovel bucket adistance in the range of 10 millimeters to 20 millimeters.
 46. Thedevice of claim 26 wherein an angle created by said fixed connecting rodand the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of saidfixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod is greater than or equal to zero when saiddoor is closed.
 47. The device of claim 26 wherein an angle created bysaid fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point ofsaid distal end of said fixed connecting rod to said door and the pivotpoint of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is greaterthan or equal to zero but less than or equal to 1.5 degrees when saiddoor is closed.
 48. The device of claim 26 wherein an angle created bysaid fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point ofsaid distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of saiddistal end of said adjustable connecting rod is approximately 1.5degrees when said door is closed.
 49. The device of claim 26 wherein anangle created by said fixed connecting rod and the distance between thepivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and thepivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is lessthan zero when said door is open.
 50. The device of claim 26 whereinsaid distance between said pivot point of said distal end of said fixedconnecting rod and said pivot point of said distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod is approximately 2,146 millimeters when saiddoor is closed.
 51. A method for controlling the door of a shovel bucketcomprising: positioning said shovel bucket such that gravity will allowsaid door to swing to a closed position and the proximal end of a fixedconnecting rod will rest against an eccentric base support; moving theproximal end of an adjustable connecting rod a predetermined distanceaway from said shovel bucket after said door is in a closed position,said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod being pivotallyconnected to said proximal end of said fixed connecting rod, the distalend of said adjustable connecting rod being pivotally connected to saidshovel bucket, and the distal end of said fixed connecting rod beingpivotally connected to said door; and positioning said shovel bucketsuch that gravity will allow said door to swing open.
 52. The method ofclaim 51 wherein said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod isidentical in shape to said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod.53. The method of claim 51 wherein said proximal end of said adjustableconnecting rod is identical in shape to said distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod except that one of said proximal end or saiddistal end includes reverse threads.
 54. The method of claim 51 whereinsaid distal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured toconnect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod andsaid proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod is configured toconnect to either of said shovel bucket or said fixed connecting rod.55. The method of claim 51 wherein the length of said adjustableconnecting rod may be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing said proximalend of said adjustable connecting rod and/or said distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod into or from a nut adjustable of saidadjustable connecting rod.
 56. The method of claim 51 wherein saidadjustable connecting rod includes at least one lock pin connected to aportion of said proximal end or said distal end of said adjustableconnecting rod and at least one lock pin assembly connected to a nutadjustable of said adjustable connecting rod.
 57. The method of claim 51wherein the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of saidconnection of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of saiddistal end of said adjustable connecting rod is within the range of 813millimeters and 850 millimeters.
 58. The method of claim 51 wherein thelength of said adjustable connecting rod may be adjusted such that thedistance between the pivot point of said proximal end of said adjustableconnecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of said adjustableconnecting rod is within the range of 813 millimeters and 850millimeters.
 59. The method of claim 51 wherein said adjustableconnecting rod includes at least one wear plate.
 60. The method of claim51 wherein said eccentric base support is configured to stop motion ofsaid proximal end of said fixed connecting rod towards said shovelbucket.
 61. The method of claim 51 wherein said eccentric base supportis configured to support said proximal end of said fixed connecting rodand/or said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod.
 62. Themethod of claim 51 wherein said eccentric base support is configured tosupport the proximal end of said fixed connecting rod and/or theproximal end of said adjustable connecting rod and includes at least oneof a guide, a steal liner, a rubber liner, and a stop.
 63. The method ofclaim 51 wherein said eccentric base support is configured to support aneccentric assembly such that rotation of said eccentric assembly willallow an eccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentric assemblyto contact said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rod.
 64. Themethod of claim 51 further comprising rotating an eccentric assemblyconfigured to move said proximal end of said adjustable connecting rodby applying a force to said proximal end of said adjustable connectingrod, said force being directed away from said shovel bucket.
 65. Themethod of claim 51 further comprising rotating an eccentric assemblysuch that an eccentric roll-wear plate connected to said eccentricassembly will contact said proximal end of said adjustable connectingrod.
 66. The method of claim 51 wherein said fixed connecting rod isconfigured to connect to said door by connecting to a door mountassembly that is configured to connect to said fixed connecting rod,said shovel bucket, and said door.
 67. The method of claim 51 whereinsaid door will not open from a closed position unless said proximal endof said adjustable connecting rod is moved at least said predetermineddistance.
 68. The method of claim 51 wherein said predetermined distanceis at least 10 millimeters.
 69. The method of claim 51 wherein saidpredetermined distance is between 10 millimeters and 20 millimeters. 70.The method of claim 51 wherein an angle created by said fixed connectingrod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of saidfixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod is greater than or equal to zero when saiddoor is closed.
 71. The method of claim 51 wherein an angle created bysaid fixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point ofsaid distal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of saiddistal end of said adjustable connecting rod is greater than or equal tozero but less than or equal to 1.5 degrees when said door is closed. 72.The method of claim 51 wherein an angle created by said fixed connectingrod and the distance between the pivot point of said distal end of saidfixed connecting rod and the pivot point of said distal end of saidadjustable connecting rod is approximately 1.5 degrees when said door isclosed.
 73. The method of claim 51 wherein an angle created by saidfixed connecting rod and the distance between the pivot point of saiddistal end of said fixed connecting rod and the pivot point of saiddistal end of said adjustable connecting rod is less than zero when saiddoor is open.
 74. The method of claim 51 wherein said distance betweenthe pivot point of said distal end of said fixed connecting rod and thepivot point of said distal end of said adjustable connecting rod isapproximately 2,146 millimeters when said door is closed.